Prince George's County Family Court Records

Prince George's County family court records are filed and maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk in Upper Marlboro. The court handles divorce, custody, child support, protective orders, and other family law matters for one of Maryland's most populous counties. Records are generally public, though sealed cases such as adoptions and juvenile proceedings are not accessible without a court order. This guide covers how to search, request copies, and find help with family court matters in Prince George's County.

Circuit Court Clerk Office

The Circuit Court Clerk for Prince George's County is Mahasin S. El Amin. Her office is at 14735 Main Street, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772. The main phone number is (301) 952-3318, with a toll-free line at 1-800-937-1335. TTY users can call (301) 952-3925. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The court website is princegeorgescourts.org.

Prince George's County has 25 Circuit Court judges and 8 family magistrates. The magistrates handle a large volume of domestic relations matters. They include Gretchen K. Athias-White, Paul Bauer Eason, Lindsey K. Erdmann, Alisia Ferguson, Kristen M. Hileman-Adams, Thomas J. Rogers Jr., Anita G. Turner, and Paul D. Wright III. Having this many magistrates reflects the size and complexity of family law caseloads in the county.

Several divisions within the Clerk's Office handle different case types. The Family Division can be reached at (301) 952-3024. The Civil Division handles broader civil matters at (301) 952-5000. The Domestic Relations division has a direct email at lejones1@co.pg.md.us. The Juvenile Division is at (301) 952-4330. For land records, call (301) 952-3253.

The court's online portal allows you to find case status, hearing dates, and basic party information for most family law cases filed in Prince George's County.

Searching Family Court Records Online

The primary tool for searching family court records in Prince George's County is the Maryland Judiciary Case Search. This free database is run by the state and covers all Maryland Circuit Courts, including Prince George's. You can search by party name, case number, attorney, or business name. Results show case type, filing date, current status, and scheduled hearings.

Keep in mind that new filings take some time to appear. Records are added to the system after the clerk processes them, which can take a day or two. If you filed recently and don't see it yet, check back the next business day. The system does not show sealed records. Adoption cases and juvenile matters do not appear in public results.

The Court Records page on the county court site also provides guidance on what is available and how to request copies. That page is a good starting point if you're not sure what kind of record you need.

Self-represented litigants cannot file documents electronically. All filings must be done in person at the Clerk's Office or sent by mail. Only attorneys can use the state's e-filing system for Prince George's Circuit Court.

How to Get Copies of Records

You can request copies of family court records in three ways: in person, by mail, or through a written request. In-person requests are the fastest. If you visit the Clerk's Office at 14735 Main Street, you can get copies the same day in most cases. Bring a valid ID and the case number if you have it.

For mail requests, allow two to three weeks for processing and return. Include the full names of the parties, the case number if known, the dates involved, and a brief description of what you need. Send payment by check or money order made out to "Clerk of Circuit Court." Do not send cash.

Copy fees in Prince George's County follow the standard Maryland schedule:

• Plain copy: $0.50 per page
• Certified copy: $5.00 plus $0.50 per page
• Exemplification (Triple Seal): $10.00 plus copy fees
• Divorce decree: $5.00 plus $0.50 per page
• Mailing surcharge: $2.00

Filing fees are $165.00 when filing without an attorney and $175.00 when filing with one. Motions to modify existing orders cost $31.00. These fees are set by Maryland court rules and apply statewide, though the Clerk can confirm current amounts.

Older records from 50 or more years ago may be archived at the Maryland State Archives. Access to those records typically involves a $25 fee. Contact the Archives directly if you need historical documents not found in the court system.

What Records Are Public

Most family court records in Prince George's County are public documents. This includes divorce filings, custody orders, child support cases, name changes, and guardianship proceedings. Anyone can request these records. You do not need to be a party to the case.

Some records are sealed by law or court order. Adoption cases are confidential. Juvenile court matters are not open to the public. Cases involving abuse or neglect of minors are sealed. Financial statements filed in child support cases are also not public. If a judge has entered an order to seal or shield a specific record, that case will not show up in the public database.

If you believe a record should be accessible but cannot find it, call the Clerk's Office at (301) 952-3318. Staff can tell you whether a case exists without revealing sealed details. To access sealed records, you would need to file a motion with the court and show a valid reason.

The court also offers CourtCall for some proceedings. This allows remote appearance by phone or video. Check with the court in advance to see if this option applies to your case.

Problem-Solving Courts and Support Programs

Prince George's County Circuit Court runs several problem-solving courts that can affect family court matters. The Family Recovery Court helps parents in child welfare cases address substance use. The Adult Drug Court serves adults with drug-related offenses at (301) 952-3606. The Juvenile Drug Court handles similar matters for younger individuals at (301) 952-2336.

The Re-Entry Court at (301) 952-3290 helps people coming out of incarceration. Veterans Court at (301) 780-2462 serves military veterans in the court system. The Truancy Reduction Court at (301) 780-2052 addresses school attendance issues for juveniles. These courts often overlap with family cases, especially those involving custody or parental fitness.

The Family Justice Center is located at 14757 Main Street in Upper Marlboro, just steps from the main courthouse. It provides services to families dealing with domestic violence and related legal matters. The center connects people with advocates, legal help, and safety planning resources.

Probate and Orphans' Court

Guardianship and estate matters involving minors in Prince George's County go through the Orphans' Court. The office is at P.O. Box 1729, Courthouse, Duvall Wing, 14735 Main St., Suite D4001, Upper Marlboro, MD 20773. The phone number is (301) 952-3790, with a fax at (301) 952-4489.

The Register of Wills is Cereta A. Lee. Her office can be reached at (301) 952-3250 or toll-free at 1-888-464-4219. The Register of Wills works alongside the Orphans' Court on probate matters. If a custody or guardianship case involves a deceased parent's estate, both offices may be relevant to your case.

District Court in Prince George's County

The District Court handles protective orders and some lower-level civil matters. There are two District Court locations in the county. The Hyattsville location is at 4990 Rhode Island Avenue, Hyattsville, MD 20781. The Upper Marlboro location shares the address at 14735 Main Street with the Circuit Court.

If you need an emergency protective order or a temporary peace order, the District Court is the right starting point. Final protective orders and all divorce or custody matters ultimately go through Circuit Court. Both courts work together on family safety matters.

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

The Maryland Legal Aid office serves Prince George's County residents who qualify based on income. Legal Aid can help with divorce, custody, protective orders, and child support cases. Call them to find out if you qualify and to schedule an appointment.

The People's Law Library of Maryland is a free online resource with guides, forms, and plain-language explanations of family law topics. It covers divorce procedures, custody standards, and how to represent yourself in court. This is a good first stop if you're new to the process.

Court forms for family law cases are available through the Maryland courts family forms page. These are the official state forms accepted in all Maryland courts, including Prince George's. The statewide Family Law Hotline at 1-800-845-8550 can also point you toward local resources.

For general questions about the court, call (410) 260-1392. This is the Maryland Judiciary's general help line. Staff there can direct you to the right court or office for your situation.

Cities in Prince George's County

Prince George's County includes a large number of cities and communities. Among those with populations over the qualifying threshold is Bowie. Residents of all Prince George's County communities file family court cases through the same Circuit Court Clerk's Office in Upper Marlboro.

Nearby Counties

Prince George's County borders several other Maryland counties, each with its own Circuit Court. Montgomery County is to the northwest and has its own court in Rockville. Anne Arundel County lies to the west and south, with its court in Annapolis. Calvert County is to the south, and Charles County is to the southwest. Each county handles its own family court filings independently.